The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) recently released February sales figures for the international nameplate auto industry. Brands sold by America’s 9,600 international nameplate franchises accounted for 55.4 percent of all new vehicles sold in the United States last month, down from 57.4 percent in January.

AutoData Corp. reports that the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) for February was 17.08 million units versus 17.45 million units a year ago. Total industry unit deliveries, including all brands and unadjusted for business days, decreased 2.4 percent compared to last February. Sales were down 12.7 percent compared to January 2018. International nameplate brand sales were essentially flat, up just 0.2 percent from February 2017.

“Auto sales have been steady for the start of 2018,” said AIADA President Cody Lusk. “At around 17 million units a year, that’s a healthy place to be. Our dealer members are focused on what they do best: selling quality products at competitive prices with excellent customer service.”

International brands were led last month by Audi (up 12.4 percent from last February), Mazda (up 12.7 percent), and Toyota (up 4.4 percent). Toyota had its best February ever for light truck sales, while Subaru, up 3.8 percent, hit its 75th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. Throughout the industry, light trucks continued to drive sales demand last month, rising 3.8 percent as a segment, while cars lagged, slipping 12.6 percent.

International auto sales in the U.S. totaled 720,982 units in February, up from 662,412 units in January but down from 882,393 units in December 2017. Asian brands occupied 46.1 percent of the February auto market, down from 47.6 percent in January. Overall, Asian nameplate dealers sold 600,402 vehicles in February, up from 549,805 vehicles in January, but a 1 percent decrease from February 2017.

European brands sold 120,580 units in February, up from 112,607 units in January but down from 166,496 units in December. They held 9.3 percent of the February U.S. auto market, down from 9.8 percent in January.